The 2003 IIHF World U20 Championship, commonly referred as the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championships (2003 WJHC), was the 27th edition of the Ice Hockey World Junior Championship. The tournament was held in Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, from December 26, 2002, to January 5, 2003. Russia won the gold medal for the second consecutive year with a 3âÂÂ2 victory over Canada in the championship game, while Finland won the bronze medal with a 3âÂÂ2 victory over the United States.
Playoff round (again) reverted to six teams qualifying, with group leaders getting a bye into the semifinals.
<small>All times local (AST/UTC-4).</small>
<small>All times local (AST/UTC-4).</small>
<small>Results from games played during the preliminary round were carried forward to the relegation round.</small>
<small>All times local (AST/UTC-4).</small>
Source:
<small>Minimum 40% of team's ice time.</small>
The Division I championships were played on December 27, 2002 â January 2, 2003 in Almaty, Kazakhstan (Group A), and on December 16âÂÂ22, 2002 in Bled, Slovenia (Group B).
The Division II championships were played on January 6âÂÂ12, 2003, in Miercurea-Ciuc, Romania (Group A), and on December 28, 2002 â January 3, 2003 in Novi Sad, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Group B).
The Division III championship was played on January 21âÂÂ26, 2003 in ðzmit, Turkey.